Victorian motorists ranked first in the country when it comes to the number of nose-to-tail crashes, while South Australian drivers experienced the most number of accidents while parking their car, new motor claims data showed.
Allianz figures revealed that about one in seven motorists would lodge an insurance claim each year for a range of reasons, including broken windscreens, reversing accidents, and failure to give way.
In Victoria, for example, motorists are more likely to be hit in the rear by another vehicle than in any other state, representing one in four insurance claims. SA, on the other hand, topped the list of states when it comes to car park accidents – 19% of SA drivers saw their cars damaged while parked and 18% damaged their cars while reversing.
Leanne Hendry, Allianz Australia general manager for motor, said knowing the most likely causes of motor accidents in their state could help motorists take steps to reduce their risk.
“Coming in to the holiday season with more people on the road, it’s especially important for drivers to take extra precautions to ensure they get to their destinations safely,” she said.
Commenting on Victoria’s results, Hendry said the high frequency of 'hit in the rear' accidents, also a top cause of claims in NSW, stressed the importance of maintaining a safe distance between cars, “especially ... in heavy traffic when motorists may be tempted to drive too closely to the car in front of them.”
In Queensland, broken windscreen or glass was the drivers' biggest headache, accounting for 25% of claims. The issue is worse for Western Australia, where glass damage accounted for 27% of the state's motor claims.
Hendry said the two states' claims results were reflective of their extensive network of outback roads that are “more prone to loose gravel or debris, which can fly up into a vehicle’s windshield and cause chips and cracks.”
“Of course, you can take every precaution and still find yourself needing to make a claim on your insurance policy,” Hendry said. “So, if you do have an accident, move yourself and any passengers to a safe place, call 000 if anyone has been hurt, exchange details with the other driver/s and take photos of the scene. Then contact your insurer to discuss your next steps, including moving your damaged vehicle and, if your policy allows, using a hire car while yours is being repaired.”
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